SERVICE LEARNING TRIP

U.S. & MEXICO BORDER

THE VISION

Our service learning trips are immersive, educational and will intentionally place you into the lives of immigrant leaders serving families on the U.S. & Mexico border.

There will be learning opportunities to help you understand the complexity of immigration on the border and service opportunities to help support local immigrant ministries.

From volunteering at a local immigrant shelter to serving alongside immigrant pastors and their congregations, these opportunities will be eye-opening and will give you a first-hand look at ministry alongside immigrants communities.

To learn more about the issues affecting immigrant communities, there's also an opportunity do a border drive/walk with your group.

What does it look like to travel along the border?

We'll travel along the South Texas border and make certain stops along the way and highlight important places, facts, etc... This part of your trip will primarily give your group a visual understanding of our southern border, the hardships of the terrain and put in context the region that we often only hear about.

Explore God’s heart for justice

LEARN

Collaborate and be challenged by our ministry partners. You will learn the importance of scripture in our ministry approach and the cultural milieu into which you will enter.

DEVELOP

We help you personalize your life experiences and use your story to help others follow Jesus well.

CONTEXTUALIZE

We help you step into another culture. What’s special about the people living on the border? We help you get to know them, speak into their culture, and design your trip for impactful transformation.

AFTER YOUR TRIP

The great commission isn’t just about “going.” It’s about how we live once we return home. It’s about our everyday actions and decisions to showcase our faith. We are called to bring peace in our small interactions and in how we live every single day.

TRIP COST

$400/person

*Price includes lodging, food, service project materials and educational programming.

Transportation to, from and while in South Texas is NOT covered. You will need to provide your own transportation throughout the week of your trip.

Begin your journey.

APPLY NOW

Interest Form

Team Leader *

Team Leader

First Name

Last Name

Church / Organization

Not affiliated with a particular church or organization, please make up a team name.

AGE GROUPS ALLOWED

Middle School Students

High School Students

College Students

Families & Adults

WHERE YOU ARE SERVING

LOCAL TEAM

Pastor Hugo and Eunice Moya run Iglesia Misionera Cristo Vive, a house church founded by immigrants for immigrants in South Texas. Iglesia Misionera Cristo Vive is located minutes away from the Reynosa/McAllen border crossing, the U.S. Border busiest entry points. For over two decades they have persisted in the slow and unrecognized work of church building, advocacy, and hospitality. As the number of immigrants grows on the border, the Moyas continue their work of ministering to immigrants—on the front lines.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

*Please note that this schedule is subject to change

SUNDAY(ARRIVAL DAY)

3:00-5:00 pm – Arrive in South Texas

6:00 pm – Dinner

7:00 pm – Worship & Weekly Orientation

8:30 pm – Church Time, Small groups, Free Time

11:00 pm – Lights Out

MONDAY–THURSDAY(WORK DAYS)

7:00 am – Wake Up

7:30 am – Eat Breakfast

8:00 am – Morning Devotional

8:15 am – Depart for service opportunity

12:00 pm – Lunch & Devotion

1:00 pm – Resume serving

3:30 pm – Clean Up/Return

4:00 pm – Free time/Showers/Leader Meeting

6:00pm – Dinner

7:00 pm – Worship

8:30 – Church Time/Small Groups/Free Time

11:00 pm – Lights Out

FRIDAY(COMMUNITY / FUN DAY)

8:00 am – Wake Up

8:15 am – Eat Breakfast

9:00 am – Morning Devotion

9:15 am – Depart for Free Day Activity

LOGISTICS

ACCOMMODATIONS

Your trip is hosted by Iglesia Misionera Cristo Vive. You will worship, eat meals, sleep, shower, and be fully immersed in the community! Guys and girls will be separated into different rooms for sleeping arrangements. You will be sleeping on the floor, please bring a twin air mattress and bedding. There are bathrooms in the facility and showers on site.

TRANSPORTATION

This site is van accessible. Some groups choose to drive or fly and then rent vehicles for the week. The nearest airport is Mcallen International Airport in Mcallen, Texas and is a 20 minute drive from where we stay. For your convenience, you can also fly into Valley International Airport (HRL) or Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO). If it's not possible to fly into these airports, contact us for other travel options.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

+ WHEN SHOULD I REGISTER FOR MY TRIP?

Registration opens early September and will be available through early spring. To get your preferred dates, we recommended you secure your spots sometime in the fall.

+ WHAT IS THE MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE PER GROUP?

For our group trips you must have a minimum of five team members to be eligible for a group. If you have less than five participants please consider our trips for individuals. The maximum number of people will depend on the capacity and availability of the dates you selected.

+ WHAT IS THE ADULT TO STUDENT RATIO FOR A TRIP?

We ask for your team to consist of 1 adult (21+) for every 6 students.

+ ARE BACKGROUND CHECKS REQUIRED?

Yes. Each group is responsible for conducting background checks on all participants ages 18 or older.

+ WHAT IS YOUR PAYMENT SCHEDULE?

$50 non-refundable deposit due 15 days after on-line registration

50% Payment due two months prior to your trip

Final Payment due one month prior your trip

The $50 per participant deposit is due 15 days after your online registration. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. The last day to cancel participants is two months prior to your trip departure. If you need to make cancellations after two months, your group is still responsible for paying the full fee for all participant registrations reserved. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact our office and we would be happy to discuss in more detail.

+ ARE BORDER MISSION TRIPS SAFE?

Yes. Your safety is always a top priority. Thankfully, because of our two and a half decade ministry and involvement on the border, we have many close relationships with partner churches and organizations. These communities are familiar with mission teams and we’ve worked hard to humbly earn their trust and respect. Because of these close friendships we are the first to know if something out of the ordinary comes up or is unsafe.

The trip lodging facility will always be locked to ensure safety. During the day, your team will be serving in places where Border Perspective teams have already visited and people will know who you are. Furthermore, our local team selects these service opportunities and projects, so we can ensure they are safe places for you to serve. Our network of community relationships allow Border Perspective to engage with the community in a way that is trusted and safe.

On the first night of the trip, our staff will train and equip your team to understand safety on the service opportunities and work sites.

We would be happy to talk in more detail about safety on this trip. Please feel free to contact our office for further conversation regarding your trip safety.

+ IS BORDER PERSPECTIVE AFFILIATED WITH A DENOMINATION?

Border Perspective serves as the mobilization and equipping arm of Iglesia Misionera Cristo Vive, an immigrant church ministering and serving families in marginalized communities on the U.S./Mexico border. Iglesia Misionera Cristo Vive is a part of the Missionary Church.

+ HOW ARE THE SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES & WORK PROJECTS SELECTED?

Border Perspective works alongside Pastors, non-profit organizations, and the local church in order to line up service opportunities and work projects. The Moyas live and serve border communities year round and are well connected. Border Perspective collaborates with local Pastors to plan where you will be serving and working in advance.

+ WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE?

During your mission trip it is important that you make every effort to dress respectfully, modestly, and appropriately. You will be working hard serving in the community so it is best to wear old, comfortable, and modest clothes. Please understand there are different cultural norms in the places that you are visiting for the week. While certain clothing may be acceptable back home, it might not be appropriate for your mission trip. Please review the dress code below and pack accordingly. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 612-718-5021.

Shirts: All trip participants should wear either a short-sleeve or long-sleeve t-shirt on the work site. You may wear tank tops or sleeveless shirts in the evening during free time, dinner, and worship. Tank tops must be modest. Please note, no spaghetti strap tank tops or ripped/torn cut-off shirts.

Pants/Shorts: All trip participants should wear modest pants or shorts at all times on the mission trip. Please adhere to the following rules: Please be mindful of the length of your shorts. Follow the “fingertip length” rule to determine if your shorts are appropriate length. To do this, stand with your arms straight at your side and place your palm against the side of your legs. The length of your shorts should be at your fingertips or longer. Spandex pants/shorts are NOT allowed on your mission trip at anytime. This includes yoga pants or spandex athletic shorts.

Bathing Suits: Ladies must wear a one-piece swim suit or wear a t-shirt over a two-piece swim suit. Males must wear swim trunks that are long enough for the “fingertip length” rule mentioned above.

Please bring one nicer outfit for the weekly church service. It is recommended that ladies wear a skirt or summer dress. Men can wear khaki short or long pants with a nice t-shirt/shirt.

+ WHAT IS THE TRIP COST?

The trip cost is $400 per person. The price is the same for students and adults. The cost covers all meals, service & learning opportunities, materials and lodging. The only cost not included is your transportation. You will need to provide your own transportation to South Texas and a vehicle for every day of the trip.

+ WHEN IS ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE?

Your trip begins on Sunday evening. Please plan to arrive between 3:00-5:00 pm. Our local team will welcome you with dinner. The trip concludes Friday morning after breakfast and clean up. Please plan to depart the site by 9:00 am. We are happy to accommodate your travel plans so please contact our office if you need special arrival or departure plans.

+ WHAT SHOULD WE BRING ON THE TRIP?

Each trip participant should be sure to pack the following items:

Air Mattress (twin size to be sure there is enough space for everyone)

Bedding & Pillow

Water Bottle

Sunglasses and/or Hat

Sunscreen & Insect Repellent

Personal Snacks (i.e. granola bars, trail mix)

Towel and toiletries (i.e. soap, shampoo, toothbrush, etc.)

Work Shoes: an old pair of tennis shoes will work well

Work Clothes: old t-shirts, athletic shorts, cargo shorts, or jeans all work well. Please be sure to review the dress code in advance.

Casual Clothes: bring a clean set of clothes to change into after showers every evening. Plan to dress casually and comfortably!